Five-Star Matchups

Although Saturday will certainly determine the final seeds for next weekend's basketball championship tournaments, tonight may be even more important for the teams involved in the chase.

Can't make it out to a game tonight? Enjoy all the action on your computer at the Conference's "C-Zone" - our one-stop channel. We'll have cameras at all five venues and you can also join in the conversation on our live blog or on Twitter. Be part of the action!

Washington College at Ursinus (Women's Basketball)
Two of the four teams competing for the two remaining berths in the playoff field square off in Collegeville tonight. The Shorewomen (9-9 CC, 11-12) won the first meeting in Chestertown by a 49-41 count and have won four of the last five from the Bears (10-8, 14-9). The last time Ursinus won as many as 14 games in a season was 2007 (19-10), also the last time UC won the Centennial title. Washington has not qualified for the Conference tournament since 1999.

Johns Hopkins at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Basketball)
The Blue Jays (16-3, 19-4) bring down the curtain on their regular-season schedule with a trip to Lancaster to face the Diplomats (10-8, 12-11). Hopkins won the year's first tilt (57-49) and look to improve their 13-5 record at Mayser since 1994. In fact, F&M has won just once in the last seven games vs. Hop at home (2008, 73-71). The Diplomats are tied with Ursinus for fourth place in the CC and hold a one-game lead over Swarthmore and Washington in the playoff chase.

Haverford at Muhlenberg (Men's Basketball)
Two of the three teams tied for fifth place in the Centennial meet tonight in what could be a playoff game for both. The Fords (8-8, 11-11) and the Mules (8-8, 12-11), along with Ursinus, are a game behind Gettysburg and McDaniel as the race for the final three tourney berths nears its conclusion. Muhlenberg won on the Main Line, 77-69, back in January and has won six of the last seven with Haverford. The Fords have lost six straight at Memorial Hall since a 71-62 triumph in 2005.

Five-Star Matchups

As a snowy January draws to a close, the games start to heat up in the Conference as basketball teams begin to jockey for playoff position, and swimmers and wrestlers prepare for championship time.

Johns Hopkins at Muhlenberg (Women's Basketball)
The first and second-place teams in the Conference meet in a rematch of their overtime clash on Jan. 17. The Blue Jays (12-2 CC, 15-3) held off the Mules (9-3, 13-4), 86-75, as Chantal Mattiola poured in a career-high 24 points. 'Berg's Alexandra Chili scored 27 of her game-high 32 points in the second half. Hopkins has not won at Memorial Hall since 2005 (0-7) - the last time that JHU swept the season series.

Dickinson at Ursinus (Women's Basketball)
Franklin & Marshall at Haverford (Women's Basketball)
These two games are critical for the playoff chances of all four teams. The Bears (8-5, 11-6) and the Diplomats (8-5, 10-8) can go a long way to securing a spot in the five-team field with wins. The Red Devils (5-8, 7-10) and the Fords (5-8, 8-10) can ill afford another CC loss and, with victories, can get right back in the playoff chase. Ursinus defeated Dickinson, 44-33, on Dec. 11 behind a 13-point, 12-rebound effort from Lindsay Teuber. The Bears look for their first season sweep of the Devils and their first home win against the Red since 2002. The Fords are also looking for their first-ever sweep of the Diplomats, following a 53-39 win on Dec. 11 as Nina Voith had a double-double with 21-13.

McDaniel at Washington College (Men's Basketball)
The Green Terror (6-4, 9-8) looks to set some program marks when it visits the "House of Cain" and the Shoremen (5-6, 6-12). McDaniel has already defeated Washington twice this season and a third victory would be a program first. Also, the Terror has lost 17 straight times in Chestertown since an 84-80 win back in 1982. The Shoremen need to hold (home)court in their quest to return to the Centennial playoffs.

Swarthmore at Gettysburg (Men's Swimming)
The two remaining CC unbeatens meet at Bullets Pool with first-place in the dual-meet standings on the line. The Garnet (3-0, 5-0) is led by sophomore Daniel Duncan, while the Bullets' (3-0, 5-1) Matt Libby may be the best sprinter in the Conference with the Centennial's top times in the 100 and 200 free and second-best time in the 50.

Ursinus, Stevens at Merchant Marine (Wrestling)
The three undefeated teams in the Conference dual-meet standings square off at Kings Point on Sunday. Merchant Marine (2-0, 8-2), the three-time defending Centennial champ, is ranked 11th nationally and has three wrestlers among the top 10 in their respective weight classes - 165 Vincent Renaut (4th), 174 Justin Diesel (7th) and 285 Judd Connell (3rd) - while Stevens 141 Ryan Bridge is ranked 6th. Matches to watch include 157 between USMMA's Dan Twito (7-2) and Stevens' Leo Dormann (19-8); 174 between Diesel (17-1) and the Ducks' Ryan Dormann (25-2) and 184 between Ursinus' Nate Murran (19-6) and the Mariners' Erik Schott (18-3).

McElligott Invitational (Track and Field)
One of the premier meets of the indoor season takes place Saturday at Haverford - the site of the 2011 CC Championship. Athletes to watch include Haverford's Tim Schoch, Eric Arnold (mile) and Christina Neilson (400); Swarthmore's Chelsea Hicks (55, triple jump); and Ursinus' Jordan Grannum (55, 200) and Amanda Laurito (55).

Last Night's aCCtion

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that the word "miracle" is tossed around with too much ease in sporting circles these days. Maybe last night's McDaniel 67-65 overtime win against Gettysburg qualifies.

Pat Stoetzer of the Carroll County Times writes that the Green Terror women took two steps back in a 60-43 loss to visiting Gettysburg.

Kurt Bopp of The Sentinel writes that Dickinson capitalized at the foul line in its 55-48 win over visiting Franklin & Marshall.

STAFF REPORTS: Baltimore Sun, Gettysburg Times (women), Gettysburg Times (men), Patriot-News, Philadelphia Inquirer

photo by Ken Koons, Carroll County Times

Five-Star Matchups

It's "Rivalry Night" in the Conference, as the schedule-maker set up showdowns between some of the fiercest rivals in the Centennial. We'll keep an eye on the fiercest - Haverford at Swarthmore - but here are the three biggest games of the night.

Muhlenberg at Ursinus (Women's Basketball)
It's the 63rd time that the Mules (6-3, 10-4) and the Bears (7-3, 10-4) have met on the hardwood with Muhlenberg holding a 35-27 overall lead, including four straight wins. Ursinus has not won at Helfferich since a 67-65 overtime win in 2007. Both teams are a game behind front-running Johns Hopkins in the loss column and would keep their hold on second place with a victory. Alexandra Chili of the Mules leads the CC in scoring (21.3), while the Bears' Lindsay Teuber averages a double-double with 12.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Dickinson at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Basketball)
The Red Devils (5-3, 7-8) play host to the Diplomats (6-2, 11-4) in the 167th edition of their rivalry. F&M swept the season set a year ago to stop a Dickinson run of four wins in five games and take a 102-64 all-time advantage. The Diplomats are tied for first place with Gettysburg, while Dickinson is in a three-way tie for third with Haverford and McDaniel. F&M senior James McNally needs two points tonight to become the program's all-time leading scorer. Matt Dolan leads the Devils in scoring (14.1) and rebounding (8.1).

Gettysburg at McDaniel (Men's Basketball)
It's the Route 97 rivalry tonight in Westminster as the first-place Bullets (6-2, 9-6) travel to take non the third-place Green Terror (5-3, 8-7). Just over 20 miles separate these two rivals who meet for the 102nd time since 1917. Gettysburg has won four consecutive meetings and holds a 73-28 advantage. McDaniel's last win was a 56-53 triumph at home in 2009. The Bullets' Andrew Powers is having his best season as a collegian, ranking fourth in the CC in scoring (19.8), seventh in rebounding (6.7) and sixth in assists (2.9). Devon Lesniak leads the Terror in scoring (14.3).

Get links to live video, audio and stats at www.centennial.org

Last Night's aCCtion

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that there is a noticeable change in attitude around the locker room after McDaniel won its third straight game with a 54-45 win over Ursinus.

Land also writes that the Green Terror women shook off an historic loss with a 62-54 win against Washington College.

Roundups
Annapolis Capital, Philadelphia Inquirer.

Last Night's aCCtion

Jeff Cook of the Gettysburg Times writes the weather outside Gettysburg's Bream Gym was plenty nasty, while inside, there was an avalanche in the Bullets' win over Bryn Mawr.

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that the McDaniel women's early-season bad habits reared their head again last night in a loss to Swarthmore.

Land also wrote that the Green Terror men continued their winning streak at home against Franklin & Marshall, defeating the 18th ranked Diplomats, 61-53.

Staff Reports: Philadelphia Inquirer and Baltimore Sun

Last Night's aCCtion

Tom Housenick of the Morning Call writes that DeSales was not supposed to beat nationally-ranked Muhlenberg in their showdown on Monday night ... but they did.

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that the timing for tonight's McDaniel-Franklin & Marshall men's basketball game is quite intriguing.

Last Night's aCCtion

Joel Schreiner of the Lancaster Sunday News that a new weapon is emerging for the Franklin & Marshall men's basketball team after the Diplomats win against Haverford.

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that a loud and energetic home crowd helped lift the McDaniel men past Washington College.

Roundups
Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Inquirer, Annapolis Capital

Last Night's aCCtion

Ed Gruver of the Lancaster Newspapers writes that whenever the Franklin & Marshall and Gettysburg men meet on the hardwood, it is a dogfight and last night's game was no exception.
(photo by Suzette Wenger, Lancaster Newspapers)

Kevin Freeman of the Lancaster Newspapers writes about the "positives" that the F&M women can take away from its win against Gettysburg.

Staff Reports
Delaware County Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Harrisburg Patriot-News

Last Night's aCCtion

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that less than a week after a second-half collapse against Dickinson, the McDaniel men's basketball team wasn't about to let it happen again.

Tom Housenick of the Morning Call writes that the Muhlenberg women continue to win, despite the absence of their team leader - Kelly McKeon.

Last Night's aCCtion

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that it was a tale of two halves last night in Dickinson's 54-50 win at McDaniel.

Speaking of two distinct halves, the Pottstown Mercury reports that Franklin & Marshall battled back from a 14-point deficit to defeat Ursinus.

Jeff Cook of the Gettysburg Times writes that Alex Zurn made an indelible impression on Bullet fans last night in the win over Johns Hopkins.

Last Night's aCCtion

Jeffrey Kauffman of The Sentinel writes that Thanksgiving Week games can be a coach's nightmare, as shown by Dickinson's loss to the Swarthmore women in Carlisle last night.

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that the McDaniel women's basketball team is not taking comfort in small incremental improvements after last night's loss to Ursinus.

Bad news for Centennial men's basketball teams. Ed Gruver of the Lancaster Newspapers writes that Franklin & Marshall has a long memory and exacted some revenge against Washington College last night.

Roundup: Harrisburg Patriot-News, Carroll County Times, Gettysburg Times 1, Gettysburg Times 2, Baltimore Sun,

Last Night's aCCtion

Ed Gruver of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal writes that F&M's 66-62 win over defending champion Gettysburg was 12 months in the making. photo by Marty Heisey

Andre D. Williams of the Allentown Morning Call writes that it was a bad time for Muhlenberg to have an off day as McDaniel won the women's title with a 72-56 victory. photo by Michael Kubel

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times notes that the Green Terror's win at Muhlenberg was the culmination of four years of hard work for the McDaniel seniors.

Last Night's aCCtion

Joel Schreiner of the Lancaster Sunday News notes that late February basketball at the Mayser Center brings out the best in Franklin & Marshall.

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that coming back from large deficits during the regular season paid playoff dividends for the McDaniel women in their 72-67 win over Gettysburg.

Cory Mull of the Hanover Evening Sun writes about a true inspiration for the Gettysburg men's team - Cory Weissman - who continues to battle back from a brain hemorrhage.

Roundups
Allentown Morning Call
Annapolis Capital
Carlisle Sentinel

photo by Blaine T. Shahan, Lancaster Sunday News

Five-Star Matchups

It may be the best Saturday of the entire Centennial Conference calendar year. In addition to crowning champions in the pool and on the wrestling mat, it's time to establish playoff seedings and hosts for next weekend's basketball championship tournaments. You can find swimming and wrestling preview information elsewhere on this blog, but here is a look at the day's biggest hoop games.

Gettysburg at McDaniel (Women's Basketball)
The 24th ranked Bullets (17-2 CC, 22-2) control their destiny - win and host next weekend's final four. Lose ... and hope Ursinus knocks off Muhlenberg. Standing in Gettysburg's way - its long-time nemesis McDaniel (15-4, 17-6). The Green Terror won the year's first meeting by a 51-48 count, ending the Bullets' five-game win streak in the series. It is the 78th meeting between the two teams with McDaniel holding a 43-34 advantage. Listen to the game LIVE on your computer.

Washington at Johns Hopkins (Women's Basketball)
The other Maryland teams square off in Baltimore with the Blue Jays (12-7, 14-9) needing a win to secure homecourt for the first-round playoff game on Wednesday night. The Shorewomen (7-12, 9-15) have not won at Goldfarb Gymnasium in 12 all-time tries and dropped a 66-61 decision in Chestertown earlier this season. A Washington win, combined with a Dickinson victory at F&M, gives the Red Devils the fourth seed and sends Hopkins to Carlisle on Wednesday night. Watch to the game LIVE on your computer.

Muhlenberg at Ursinus (Men's Basketball)
The Mules (10-7, 12-12) and the Bears (10-7, 14-10) meet in a game that could give one team a first-round bye, while sending the loser on the road Wednesday for the 4-5 tournament game. Ursinus won the year's first meeting, 83-62, and has won eight of the last nine matchups at Helfferich Hall. The winner can secure a first-round bye with a loss by Washington at Johns Hopkins ... otherwise, the winner will host on Wednesday night. Listen to the game LIVE on your computer.

Playoff Picture

Here are the playoff scenarios for men's and women's basketball this weekend.

On the men's side ...

F&M is the top seed, Gettysburg has first-round bye.
Gettysburg is the #2 seed with a win OR a loss by Muhlenberg OR losses by Ursinus and Washington
Washington is the #2 seed with a win and a loss by Gettysburg and Ursinus
Washington gets first-round bye with win and hosts first-round game with loss.
winner of Muhlenberg-Ursinus gets first-round bye with Washington loss or hosts first-round with Washington win.
loser of Muhlenberg-Ursinus is #5 seed and goes on road for first-round game.

On the women's side ...

Gettysburg is the #1 seed with a win or a Muhlenberg loss
Muhlenberg is the #1 seed with a win and a Gettysburg loss
McDaniel is the #2 seed with a win and a Muhlenberg loss
Gettysburg, Muhlenberg, McDaniel have first-round byes
Johns Hopkins is the #4 seed and hosts the first-round game with a win
Dickinson is the #4 seed and hosts first-round game with a win and a Hopkins loss

Last Night's aCCtion

Adrian Martin of the Gettysburg Times writes that the Gettysburg women will take their win over Dickinson in spite of a sloppy performance.

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that for much of the first half, it looked as if the McDaniel men wold snap their losing streak. But Swarthmore battled back and won its first road game since 2007, 62-51.

Ed Gruver of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal writes that there are losses, and there are bad losses. Last night, the Johns Hopkins men handed F&M a bad loss, 46-45.


Staff Reports
Pottstown Mercury
Allentown Morning Call
Delaware County Times
Philadelphia Inquirer

Five-Star Matchups

It's the penultimate date on the Centennial basketball schedule and just one of the 10 men's and women's playoff spots remains unfilled ... although seedings for eight of the other nine are still in play.

Dickinson at Gettysburg (Women's Basketball)
The Red Devils (11-7 CC, 15-7) travel down Route 34 to take on the 24th ranked Bullets (16-2, 21-2) in the 68th meeting between the two long-time rivals. Gettysburg edged Dickinson, 56-54, in the year's first meeting and the Orange and Blue goes for its first season sweep of the Devils since 2004. The Bullets can secure the regular season title and the top seed for the tournament with two wins, or one win and a Muhlenberg loss. The Red Devils are tied with Johns Hopkins for the fourth playoff spot but hold the tiebreaker with a season sweep of the Jays. You can watch the game LIVE on your computer at gettysburgsports.com.

Muhlenberg at Haverford (Women's Basketball)
The Mules (15-3, 18-4) look to keep their hopes alive for a third consecutive regular season crown when they travel to the Main Line to take on the Fords (4-14, 6-16). Muhlenberg has won 30 straight games from Haverford since a 1991 loss (51-44) - its only loss in the 47-game series. The Mules trail Gettysburg by one game in the chase for first place and can earn the top seed with two wins and with two Bullet losses, or a Gettysburg loss to McDaniel.

Ursinus at Washington (Men's Basketball)
The Bears (10-6, 14-9) and the Shoremen (9-7, 11-9) meet in Chestertown in a critical game for both teams. Ursinus is tied for second in the Conference with Gettysburg and Muhlenberg with two of those teams receiving first-round byes for next week's tournament. Washington is still in the hunt for a bye, but first must lock up a spot in the field and can do so with a victory or a loss by Johns Hopkins and Haverford. Ursinus captured the year's first meeting by a 78-67 count and has won seven of the last eight meetings between the clubs. You can listen to the game LIVE on your computer on the Ursinus Sports Network.

Johns Hopkins at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Basketball)
The two winningest coaches in Centennial history square off in Lancaster in a game that Hopkins needs to keep its flickering playoff hopes alive. The Blue Jays (7-9, 11-12) are tied with Haverford for sixth place and trail Washington by two games in the standings. If Hopkins and Haverford both win twice, and the Shoremen falter twice, JHU will grab the final berth. F&M (14-2, 20-3), ranked 15th nationally, has secured the top spot and homecourt for next weekend's tournament and is 18-2 vs. Hopkins at Mayser since 1994. You can watch the game LIVE on your computer at godiplomats.com.

Muhlenberg at Haverford (Men's Basketball)
Two clubs with very different playoff positions meet on the Main Line tonight. The Mules (10-6, 12-11) are locked in a three-way tie with Ursinus and Gettysburg for second place and in a battle for a first-round bye in next week's tournament. The Fords (7-9, 9-13) need wins over the Mules and Swarthmore, combined with two losses by Washington and another by Johns Hopkins to return to the CC tournament. 'Berg won the year's first meeting by a 66-55 count and has a five-game win streak in the series.

Top Moment in CC Women's Basketball 2000-09

We have narrowed down 10 years of Centennial Conference women's basketball to 10 outstanding moments ... now it is time for you to choose the top moment.

A number of great moments did not make our top 10, including:

* Muhlenberg scoring over 100 points eight times in 2003-04
* Johns Hopkins defeating #3 Washington U. (Mo.), 77-72, in 2003-04
* Hopkins' Kathy Darling connects on all 12 field goal attempts vs. St. Mary's in 2002-03.
* F&M's Lauren Howanski makes all 16 free throw attempts vs. Johns Hopkins in 2001
* Hopkins' Lauren Martin drains all six three-point attempts vs. McDaniel in 2001
* Muhlenberg's Lauren Boyle hits a jumper in the final minute, sending the Mules to the 2006 title.
* Dickinson's Megan Shelley explodes for 40 points vs. Ursinus in 2002-03.
* Five triple-doubles occurred in the decade - JHU's Leslie Ritter, F&M's Amy Abernathy, Swarthmore's Katie Robinson, Haverford's Brittany Lattisaw, and Muhlenberg's Kelly McKeon.

From now until midnight on Feb. 21, we will take your votes for the top moment of the last decade in Centennial women's basketball. We'll reveal numbers 3-10 on the 22nd through the 26th, saving the top two for the Conference final four on Feb. 27-28.

Thanks for participating and helping us remember some great hoops moments over the last 10 years.

Last Night's aCCtion

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes how Johns Hopkins snapped the McDaniel women's 17-game win streak with a 65-60 triumph in Westminster.

Patrick Stoetzer of the Carroll County Times writes that Green Terror head coach Kevin Curley could find some positives his team's loss to Johns Hopkins, even as McDaniel was eliminated from postseason play.

Staff Report from the Delaware County Times on the Swarthmore-Washington doubleheader.